Gates Doesn’t Know if Iraq Invasion Was Good Idea
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates delivered the second profound “I don’t know” with respect to Iraq in a week.
In an interview with New York Times columnist David Brooks, Secretary Gates was asked, “whether invading Iraq was a good idea, knowing what we know now?” According to Brooks, “He looked at me for a bit and said, ‘I don’t know.’ ”
Given Brooks account of the interview, the White House cannot contend Gates was distracted or simply misspoke without seriously challenging Brooks credibility. It is clear Gates gave a thoughtful, deliberate answer.
Last week in sworn testimony before Congress when asked if the war in Iraq would make America safer, Gen. David Petraeus answered “I don’t know.” Realizing the significance of his candid answer, several questions later Gen. Petraeus made an unsuccessful attempt to backpedal out of the situation.
Surely, the White House shilling will intensify over the next few days to ameliorate Secretary Gates’ welcomed, deliberate candor. “I don’t know” is arguably not part of the White House’s lexicon.
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